The Stock Exchange News Service (SENS) announcement issued by the City of Tshwane yesterday confirms what the DA has warned from the beginning: the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition has engineered a soft landing for the City of Tshwane’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Gareth Mnisi.
According to the announcement, disciplinary proceedings against Mnisi culminated in nothing more than a final written warning, after which he immediately resumed his duties as the City’s CFO.
This is a shocking outcome for an official whose conduct became the subject of a forensic investigation following testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
He was found to have failed to disclose financial interests over two consecutive financial years and to declare a relationship with bidders doing business with the City.
These were among the reasons we opposed the coalition’s decision to classify the allegations against him as “less serious”.
The coalition may believe that issuing a SENS announcement settles the matter. It does not.
We have asked the Court to set aside both the unlawful suspension of City Manager Johann Mettler and the equally unlawful decision to downgrade the allegations against Gareth Mnisi.
The financial markets, bondholders and residents should therefore understand one important fact: the reinstatement announced through SENS flows directly from a Council decision whose legality is being challenged before the courts.
The contrast between the treatment of Johann Mettler and Gareth Mnisi could not be more striking.
Johann Mettler, a City Manager who consistently resisted irregular expenditure, strengthened financial controls and stood in the way of political interference, was removed from office through an unlawful process after becoming an obstacle to those seeking access to the City’s purse.
Gareth Mnisi, whose conduct has been scrutinised through forensic investigations and testimony before the Madlanga Commission, has now been welcomed back into one of the most powerful positions in the municipality with nothing more than a final written warning.
The ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition has sent a clear message: officials who resist political interference will be removed, while officials implicated in serious allegations can expect accommodation.
We will continue pursuing the urgent court application to overturn these unlawful Council decisions.
The people of Tshwane deserve a municipality where integrity is rewarded, corruption is confronted and the rule of law is respected.